2020-05-29 Fri

Pergamene Silver Cistophorus is a Classic Coin of ancient Greece. One of the most important coinages of central Asia Minor was the “cistophorus“, struck at Pergamum and a host of other cities. It was a major commercial success in Greek times and because it was equivalent in weight to three Roman silver denarii it was continued by the Romans for several centuries afterward.

Cistophori bearing this classic design were struck during the pre-Roman era from about 180/167 BCE through 133 BCE and were continued under Roman dominion until about 67 BCE. The example illustrated here was struck at Pergamum while it was under Roman rule.

The obverse shows a wreath containing the cista Mystica (often equated to Pandora’s Box), from which a snake emerges. The reverse shows a bow in its case flanked by two coiled snakes; the name of the mint city usually appears in the field, typically as a monogram or in abbreviated form.

Image Courtesy: downies.com